Chicago Jazz and the Melrose Brothers

Jazz is an American musical style originating from spirituals, blues, and ragtime traditions. Its development began in the early twentieth century in New Orleans. Prominent musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton gained recognition by performing in Chicago nightclubs, leading to the emergence of a distinct Chicago jazz style.

Three brothers from Sumner were very involved in the Chicago Jazz and Blues scene in the 1920s and 1930s. Walter, Lester and Frank Melrose were the sons of Frank H and Molly Melrose. The family also included another younger brother named Lee and sisters, Muriel, Mamie and Belle.

Frank, born Nov 26,1907, attended Bridgeport Township high school where he attained high academic marks in all his subjects including English 1 & 2, Latin 1 & 2, Algebra, Geometry, Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History and Orchestra. His first instrument was the violin which he took up at age 6 or 7, becoming very proficient. When he was 10 years old, he represented the county district in a competition held in St. Louis.

Frank left home at age 16 and drifted around settling in St. Louis and then Kansas City where it is reputed that he jammed with Jelly Roll Morton in the clubs on the South side of Chicago. Frank's music appeared on a handful of records in the 1920s. While working at a factory to support his family, he also played piano in small clubs and bars. He died mysteriously on Labor Day 1941. According to police who were unable to determine whether he had been struck by a hit and run driver or had been assaulted by thugs, Melrose’s body was so mutilated that he was only able to be identified by his wife who recognized his coat.

Thirteen years later in Valparaiso Indiana his son Franklin Eugene Melrose, age 18, also died mysteriously. He disappeared November 2, 1954, while on the duck hunting expedition and his body was not found until the following July 12 (1955) by three fishermen on the Kankakee River.

Lester Melrose was born December 14, 1891, to Frank and Mollie Melrose, and grew up on the farm near Sumner owned by his father. He began his working life as a delivery man for a dry goods store and had ambitions of being a star baseball player. In 1912 he unsuccessfully tried out as catcher for the White Sox baseball team. In 1914 he opened a grocery store on the South side of Chicago and was still working in this store when he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. After he was drafted in 1918 and served his time during WWI, he became a grocery salesman probably for Marshall Field's department store.

About 1922 he joined his brother Walter as partner in a music store at 6311 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on the south side of Chicago known as the Melrose Brothers Music Company. An unsourced story says they sought to take advantage of Louis Armstrong's rising fame by publishing a collection of music for trumpeters. They provided Armstrong with a cylinder phonograph and blank cylinders, requesting him to record solos on well-known jazz tunes and many of his notable jazz breaks. A pianist transcribed these recordings, resulting in a folio featuring only the solos and breaks, without harmony. The original recording cylinders have not been located.

 In 1924 Lester married a 16-year-old girl named Blanche. The following year he assumed ownership of the music store while his brother Walter took over the publishing business and moved to the more affluent North Side. After struggling financially for several years Lester gained success by promoting African American blues artists. In May 1923, he met Jelly Roll Morton at the store, and Morton became the company's chief songwriter and arranger.

Some jazz lovers consider Lester to be the founder of the Chicago Blues, although he could not play or sing a note of music.  The Melrose sound dominated Chicago blues before WWII. He and his wife retired to Florida where he died in April 1968.

Lester Melrose, center, Chicago Jazz promoter

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